New Aquarium

This is a discussion on New Aquarium within the Freshwater and Tropical Fish forums, part of the Freshwater Fish and Aquariums category; -->
Hey Guys, I have just bought a 125 liters/33 gallon fish tank. I set it up with gravel and all but the filter doesn't ...

Your fish setup will not work for a 33 gallon tank. Kissing gouramis can get over 12" long. I'd be careful before adding any type of cichlid to a tank (as many species of cichlid are very aggresive). Angelfish and gourami are both semi-aggressive fish so be careful not to overstock.

The filter's job is to filter the water. It doesn't add bubbles or oxygen. If you want bubbles you need to get an air pump and an airstone.

You should read the tropical fish profiles for each of the fish you are interested in. There's a tab at the top of the forum to look up the fish profiles. Angelfish need to be in a group, so you couldn't get just one (I don't know about its compatibility with the other fish you mention). Before you select your fish, test your water pH, hardness and then select fish that will do well in your water.

It's up to you whether to get real or fake plants. Real plants need proper lighting, so you need to consider what lights you have with your tank and whether they are suitable for growing plants.

Hi and welcome to the forum. If you want to add air to the water you need a pump and airstone. Some people dont use them as they arent always necessary. As far as your set up I dont think your fish choices are compatible. You should learn about the fish you want to buy before you buy them. You can learn all about them by going to the tropical fish profiles, second tab from the left on the blue bar on the top.

Guys, I think ill drop the Angelfish. I did the research on the blood parrot, siamese algae eater and the kisser. The kissing gourami can live with the siamese algae eater and it is friendly toward bigger/friendly fish (blood parrot). I read on about 4 websites that kissers are fine in a 25 gallon and above, and i'm getting about 4.

Can you please correct me if i'm wrong and do you think i would need an air pump for these guys??

And if I wanted a planted aquarium do i have to use soil for the ground?

I have read a few sources saying that while it's true that the fish will grow to a suitable size for its container, it's not healthy for the fish because you are stunting it from reaching its full growth. I have read that while the outside of the fish only will reach a size suitable for the tank, the insides of the fish will keep growing, thus creating a risk for deformities and other health issues, and shortened lifespan. It would be like if someone forced YOU to live in a closet, provided you with the proper food to keep you alive... but you would definitely not be comfortable.

But all fish grow to a size suitable for its container... it also says on alot of sites.

This is false and irresponsible. Please research your fish before buying, and make sure they are totally compatible. Compatible means not only "friendly" to other fish you intend getting, but sharing identical water parameters (hardness, pH, temperature) and they are the right size for the tank--and this must take into account their mature size, plus if they need to be in groups. The kissing gourami info in our profile is accurate. I wrote it. And I researched it from several reputable sources and ichthyologists who know fish.

With respect to the size, as iamgray noted, fish kept in small tanks do not develop properly and will at best be sick a lot with disease, or at worst die prematurely. A fish grows all its life, unlike us, and the internal organs develop throughout this process, even if the external fish skeleton can't due to the tank restrictions and water issues resulting from those. The fish is "stunted" and will constantly have health problems due to the deficient immune system from the stress and stunting.

The list of fish in your first post are not suitable for a 33g tank, they are all too large (if they live healthy normal lives) and incompatible on other accounts as noted in our profiles.